Otaru City in Hokkaido is a popular tourist destination throughout the year.
Of all the seasons, winter is especially recommended for sightseeing in Otaru.

In winter, an event called "Otaru Yuki Monogatari" (Otaru Snow Story) is held.

Otaru Yuki Monogatari is an event where the entire town is romantically decorated with glass art and illuminations.
Its appearance is mystical and beautiful, so much so that it makes you forget reality.

In this article, we'll provide detailed information about Otaru's winter event, "Otaru Yuki Monogatari," including its highlights, dates, and location.

<Table of Contents>
1. Glass art inside Otaru Station welcomes you.
2. Recreating the "Blue Grotto"! Blue illuminations at Otaru Canal
3. The "buoy tree" used in fishing has become a photo spot!
4. Expressing "Otaru, the City of Glass" with a wine glass tower.
5. Historic buildings are illuminated in a fantastical way!
6. For sightseeing in Otaru, we recommend the "Otaru Snow Story," a seasonal attraction.

Otaru Station is the gateway to the Otaru tourist area.
During the Otaru Yuki Monogatari event, various glass art pieces will welcome you inside Otaru Station.

This glass art piece was created in a glass workshop in Otaru City and depicts "winter in Otaru" in glass.

No two snowflakes are exactly alike.
I am completely captivated by the glass art that depicts such snowflakes.

Furthermore, some of the glass art pieces are incredibly cute, and looking at them brings a warm, comforting feeling.

Glass art is incredibly delicate, captivating the hearts of those who see it and leaving a lasting impression.
This will surely be a memorable part of your Otaru sightseeing experience.

Event Period: November 6, 2018 (Tue) - January 31, 2019 (Thu)
Location: JR Otaru Station
the map isCLICK HEREから

The Otaru Canal is a must-see, with its illuminations that add a romantic touch to the city of Otaru.

During the Otaru Yuki Monogatari event, the Otaru Canal is beautifully illuminated by approximately 1 blue LED lights.
This attraction recreates the "Blue Grotto" in Otaru, which has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially during the summer months.

The best time to visit is right after sunset.
At this time of day, the sky still retains some of its blue hue, and the combination of the sky's blue and the illuminations creates a beautiful and fantastical atmosphere along the Otaru Canal.

By pointing your camera from Asakusabashi towards Mt. Akaiwa and taking a picture, you can capture two different shades of blue.

And to fully enjoy the Otaru Canal, we recommend the "Otaru Canal Cruise," which tours the canal.
A uniquely charismatic captain will guide you through the streets of Otaru for approximately 40 minutes, navigating the Otaru Canal and Otaru Harbor! Passengers will never get bored.

They provide a wide variety of guided tours, from stories about Otaru's history to fascinating anecdotes, eliciting reactions like, "I see!" and "Wow! I didn't know that happened!"

Event period: Thursday, December 2018, 11 to Thursday, March 1, 2019
Lighting time: Sunset ~ 22:30
the map isCLICK HEREから

The "floating ball tree" is a signature sight at the Otaru Yuki Monogatari festival.
This is made using approximately 200 floating balls.

Floating balls were used to float fishing nets.
For Otaru, a city that has always had a thriving fishing industry, fishing floats are an item that represents the history of fishing in Otaru.

The floating ball tree is on display in front of the Otaru Canal Plaza. It's quite impressive, standing about 3 meters tall.

This spot also offers opportunities to photograph the floating balloon tree alongside gas lamps and historical buildings.

Event period: Thursday, December 2018, 11 to Thursday, March 1, 2019
Location: Canal Plaza Front Courtyard
the map isCLICK HEREから

Representative works of art from Otaru, the city known for its glass, are on display at the main venue, Otaru Canal Plaza.

This wine glass tower, made up of approximately 2000 wine glasses, is truly impressive. Furthermore, the tower changes color across six different colors, so the atmosphere it creates changes depending on the color, making it a real sight to behold.

Furthermore, on Fridays and Saturdays during the event period, from 18:00 PM to 21:00 PM, a "Candle Bar" will be open where you can enjoy local Otaru sake while gazing at a romantically decorated wine glass tower.

Enjoying drinks and spending a pleasant time with someone special in a romantic atmosphere is also highly recommended.

Event period: Thursday, September 2018, 11 to Sunday, February 1, 2019
Location: Canal Plaza
the map isCLICK HEREから

Historic buildings in Otaru City, including the warehouses along the Otaru Canal, are illuminated at night throughout the year.

During the winter season when the Otaru Snow Story event is held, you can enjoy the collaboration of snow and historical buildings.
Unlike the atmosphere of the buildings seen during the day, at night they are enveloped in silence, yet illuminated, and the light reflected off the snow creates a very soft impression.

Its appearance is so fantastical that you can't help but stare at it.

Event period: Year-round
Lighting hours: Sunset to 10 PM (may vary depending on the facility)
Location: Otaru Canal and other locations

So, in this article, we introduced "Otaru Yuki Monogatari," an event held during the winter season.

The "Snow Story of Otaru" begins the moment you arrive in Otaru.
For those who want to experience the charming and romantic atmosphere of Otaru, we recommend "Otaru Yuki Monogatari," a winter-only event.

This tour allows you to fully experience the charm of Otaru, including admiring glass art and strolling along the fantastical and beautiful Otaru Canal.

For those visiting during the winter season, "Otaru Yuki Monogatari" (Otaru Snow Story) is a must-see.
I highly recommend that everyone visit the romantic city of Otaru at least once.

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  Hidaka, the Home of Horses | 10 Recommended Tourist Spots for First-Timers

• 

  Kantaro! A superb conveyor belt sushi restaurant that is very popular in Hakodate.

• 

  A summary of the highlights of the Lake Akan Ice Festival ICE・Aisu・Akan "Winter Beauty"!

• 

  You absolutely must go! The charm of Niseko Grand Hirafu Ski Resort!

• 

  Tokachi Tourism | Must-See Sights, Hot Springs, and Gourmet Food in Tokachi ♪

• 

  Four recommended Furano guesthouses where you can have heartwarming interactions!

• 

  [Takinoue, a famous spot for moss phlox] The mountain is covered in pink! The moss phlox festival in Takinoue Town heralds the arrival of spring.

• 

  Perfect for a stroll around town! Here are three recommended footbath spots in Hakodate!

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)